An Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) campaign rally led by chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday afternoon nearly devolved into chaos after local party officials confronted a large group of motorists who had been attempting to disrupt the event.
During the event, held at Denggung Square, hundreds of spectators on wearing PDI-P gear showed obvious disinterest in what was happening on stage and got on their motorbikes and continuously revved their engines.
When Megawati arrived and began making her speech, the engine revving intensified and several others got on their bikes to join in.
PDI-P Yogyakarta chapter head Idham Samawi and dozens of security officers quickly approached these motorists and asked them to leave.
Idham did not deny that the motorists could have been planted provocateurs.
"Yes, it's possible [they were provocateurs]," he told The Jakarta Post.
Megawati, however, appeared unfazed by the disruption.
"I know exactly who is behind this," she said. "But, I know there will still be many people who want to listen to what I say here," she told the crowd.
In her address, Megawati reminded party supporters to work together to help the party win the legislative election and ensure the victory of its presidential candidate, Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
The Post asked several motorists why they made the noise near the stage, but no one was willing to answer and quickly fled the venue.
A PDI-P supporter named Swastika Gita, 30, who attended the event said that many of his friends had chosen to "annoy" the campaigners since the party had started the event much later than announced.
"We've been here since 9 a.m., and by the time Ibu Megawati started her speech at 3 p.m. many of us were already tired," he said.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/03/25/pdi-p-rally-caused-provoca...
